Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee

Robert Deyber’s art is full of surprises. Every canvas revels in the artist’s sense of humor, each painting a visual rendering of a clever turn on a common phrase. Despite his sense of fun however, Robert Deyber is a seriously skilled painter. Robert Deyber moves in and out of visual themes and story lines. Compelled to create imagery where he uses a combination of highly stylized composition, light and contrasting colors, his goal is to apply all three techniques skillfully, thereby drawing the viewer into his painting without overpowering or confusing. What is remarkable about Deyber’s art is that he uses the traditional American landscape to say things that seem to have a certain urgency about them. This might be deceptive on his part, as he expresses these urgencies calmly and reflectively. Time is somewhat warped with him; we’re not sure if we’re in the past, present, or future. Then there is the rich humor one can’t get away from, even though the humor might come in the guise of